Dean Huijsen: Rising Wall in Juventus Defence

Dean Huijsen made his Serie A debut for Juventus at just 18, and observers across Europe immediately took note of the Dutch-Spanish centre-back’s timing, poise and towering 1.95-metre frame. From Málaga’s academy pitches to the Allianz Stadium’s spotlight, the young defender’s trajectory has been anything but ordinary.

Dean Huijsen Journey: From Málaga to Turin

Born in Amsterdam but raised on the Costa del Sol, Dean Huijsen joined Málaga CF’s youth ranks aged seven. After a decade developing in Spain’s technically focused environment, he accepted Juventus’ offer in 2021, swapping La Liga dreams for a place in the Bianconeri’s Primavera side. Within a single season he became a mainstay, recording the highest pass-completion rate (92.1%) among Primavera centre-backs.

Juventus Defender Profile & Playing Style

Physically imposing yet remarkably comfortable on the ball, the Juventus defender combines old-school aerial dominance with modern build-up responsibility. Coaches praise his:
• Ball-carrying bursts through the first press
• Accurate 40-metre diagonals that switch play instantly
• Set-piece danger—five goals in his first Next Gen campaign
Statistically, Huijsen wins 71% of his ground duels and averages 6.3 recoveries per 90 minutes, numbers that exceed the league average for Under-21 defenders.

Season-by-Season Stats Snapshot

2021-22 (Primavera): 28 apps, 4 goals, 2 assists, 2.1 interceptions/90
2022-23 (Juventus Next Gen, Serie C): 30 apps, 5 goals, 1 assist, 3.4 clearances/90
2023-24 (Juventus First Team & Europa League): 11 apps, 0 goals, 87.5% pass accuracy

Dean Huijsen and Tactical Fit Under Allegri

Manager Massimiliano Allegri demands compactness in a back three, and Huijsen’s positional discipline makes him a seamless fit. His ability to step into midfield mirrors Leonardo Bonucci’s prime years, while his recovery pace allows wing-backs to push higher. With veteran Danilo guiding him, Juventus believe they have found the heir to Giorgio Chiellini’s leadership mantle.

Youth International Pedigree

Eligible for Spain and the Netherlands, Huijsen chose Oranje, amassing over 25 caps across U17 and U19 levels. His standout moment came at the 2023 U19 Euros, where he captained the Dutch side and led the tournament for blocked shots (12).

Key Strengths and Areas to Hone

Strengths

• Aerial duels: 78% success rate
• Progressive passes: 5.7 per 90, ranking top-five in Serie C defenders
• Mental composure: just one yellow card in 41 youth fixtures

Areas for Improvement

• Right-foot distribution under pressure
• Staying tighter to agile forwards in one-v-one wide situations
• Managing game tempo when leading late

How Dean Huijsen Compares to Europe’s Elite Prospects

When benchmarked against peers like Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) and Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), Huijsen excels in duel success and shot-blocking but slightly trails in progressive carries. Scouts rate his ceiling comparable to Matthijs de Ligt at the same age, thanks to similar physical tools and Juventus’ reputation for moulding elite defenders.

Projected Career Path

Short term: Regular minutes in Coppa Italia and late-game Serie A scenarios.
Medium term: Loan to a mid-table top-flight side for 30-plus starts.
Long term: Anchor Juventus’ defence and break into the Netherlands senior squad before the 2026 World Cup.

What the Numbers Tell Us About Dean Huijsen

Defensive actions per 90: 13.2
Clearances: 4.0
Passes completed: 63.7
xA from open play: 0.02 (reflecting measured forward involvement)
These metrics underline a centre-back focused on first-phase buildup and penalty-box dominance rather than flashy attacking forays.

Coaches’ and Teammates’ Quotes

• Allegri: “He reads the game like a veteran; all he needs now is experience.”
• Danilo: “Dean listens, learns, and competes—exactly what Juventus demands.”
• Dutch U19 coach Mischa Visser: “Technically polished and mentally ice-cold—he’s captain material.”

Dean Huijsen in the Transfer Market

Despite recent €25 million enquiries from Premier League clubs, Juventus view Huijsen as “non-transferrable.” An extension until 2028 with a salary rise is reportedly on the table, including a release clause north of €70 million.

Off the Pitch

Fluent in Dutch, Spanish, and Italian, Huijsen credits his multicultural upbringing for his adaptability. Off-season, he studies matches of Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos, integrating lessons into his game. He is also pursuing a sport-management diploma through Juventus’ Next Gen education program.

Potential Impact on Juventus’ Future

With financial fair-play constraints encouraging home-grown solutions, integrating a high-ceiling defender like Huijsen could save Juventus tens of millions while preserving defensive solidity for years.

Conclusion & Short Opinion

Dean Huijsen has already matched experienced professionals in composure and tactical awareness. If he sharpens his weaker foot and gains top-flight minutes, there is little doubt the 18-year-old will become a cornerstone for both Juventus and the Netherlands.

In my view, Juventus must resist any transfer temptation; grooming Huijsen in-house could replicate the Chiellini-Bonucci legacy and ensure defensive stability for the next decade.